Hushed Willows kanayuk ∩

she understood! more than she would say in this moment, kukutux comprehended, for she had now been on each side of the terrible river that reverie faced again.

and yet she knew the beauty of birth. the first breath of a child was a gift. the first cry of a babe was a song to sedna. "when i first saw you, i knew you were kiaranatuuk. little golden sparrow woman." her eyes were touched with affection. "do you remember? golden sparrows stay the longest at their nests and the longest in their summer-place," the duck went on. "their song moves the spirit. they are sunshine in rain and ice. they hold strength even when others do not."

she had not been unaware of boone's absence, from both the responsibilities of the pack and from the side of his gravid mate. kukutux compared all men to aiolos, and seeing reverie alone did not please her.

but these were not her words to speak. only of babies to come and of the golden sparrows.